December 21, 2009 - For Immediate Release

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HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS AT LOYOLA UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Loyola University Health System to Hold Holiday Mass Services

Being sick is never easy, but to be hospitalized during the holidays can be especially disheartening. Bringing holiday hope, tradition and cheer to the hospital, Loyola University Health System’s Pastoral Care Department will hold special noon Masses on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

“Holidays are difficult times for our patients and their families. I think it’s a blessing for them to know and experience that they are surrounded by the support and prayers of the Church and people here at Loyola,” said Ron Galt, chaplain.

The services also will be broadcast on Loyola’s internal TV channel allowing patients unable to attend the services due to medical conditions to watch them from the comfort of their room.

“It’s all about being part of a family, whether they can be physically present or not,” said Galt. “It can be of help and support to know they are being prayed for every day and that they are an important part of our Loyola family.”

According to Galt members of Loyola’s staff who give up their time with family and friends to care for those in need during the holidays, as well as people from the surrounding community also take part in the services.

“This truly speaks to who we are as an institution,” said Galt. “Given the importance of Christmas and the holidays to people and their faith, it is important to offer these services. Being here is no sacrifice; it’s a privilege.”

WHEN: Thursday, December 24, Noon

Friday, December 25, Noon

Thursday, December 31, Noon

Friday, January 1, Noon

WHERE: Paul V. Galvin Memorial Chapel

Loyola University Hospital Lower Level

2160 S. First Avenue

Maywood, IL 60513

Based in the western suburbs of Chicago, Loyola University Health System is a quaternary care system with a 61-acre main medical center campus, the 36-acre Gottlieb Memorial Hospital campus and 28 primary and specialty care facilities in Cook, Will and DuPage counties. The medical center campus is conveniently located in Maywood, 13 miles west of the Chicago Loop and 8 miles east of Oak Brook, Ill. The heart of the medical center campus, Loyola University Hospital, is a 561-licensed-bed facility. It houses a Level 1 Trauma Center, a Burn Center and the Ronald McDonald® Children's Hospital of Loyola University Medical Center. Also on campus are the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola Outpatient Center, Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine and Loyola Oral Health Center as well as the LUC Stritch School of Medicine, the LUC Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing and the Loyola Center for Fitness. Loyola's Gottlieb Memorial Hospital campus in Melrose Park includes the 264-bed community hospital, the Gottlieb Center for Fitness and the Marjorie G. Weinberg Cancer Care Center.